A Hartford police officer was shot while pursuing a suspect believed to be responsible for a series of robberies in the city. Officer Michael Bodner, 28, was investigating a string of robberies that have recently hit Hartford’s north end around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday when he saw a possible suspect, police said. The suspect, 26-year-old Dwayne Powell of Hartford, fled when Bodner approached. During the foot chase, Bodner was shot in the arm and leg, and then taken to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center. He is currently in stable condition.

—Colin Ross

Republicans would beat Dodd, poll shows

It’s not looking good for Democratic incumbent Sen. Christopher Dodd in the 2010 senatorial election, according to a Quinnipiac University Poll released today. If the election were held today, three Republicans — former U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, former executive for World Wrestling Entertainment Linda McMahon and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley — each would beat Dodd, the poll shows. Simmons would have the widest margin of victory, beating Dodd by 11 percentage points. State Sen. Sam Caligiuri (R-Waterbury) tied Dodd in the poll.

—Esther Zuckerman

Verizon Wireless expands New Haven coverage

Verizon Wireless is expanding coverage of its 3G wireless network in New Haven, the company announced Monday. The expansion will increase voice and high-speed data coverage along and around I-91 and Route 22 in New Haven. Within those areas, it will support more notebook computer and smartphone features, including faster Web capabilities, the ability to stream videos and rapid file sharing. According to the press release, Verizon has invested $2.5 billion in its New England network since 2000. In the first six months of 2009 alone it has invested $1.5 million in the area.

—Nikita Lalwani

Wallingford sees slew of vehicle break-ins

Wallingford experienced a slew of more than 30 vehicle break-ins last month, and the city’s police department has not yet identified the perpetrators. Police earlier this week arrested two suspects who were seen attempting to steal from cars in the Community Lake parking lot in Wallingford. The two arrests this week total six suspects that the police department has apprehended. The city, which is about 15 miles north of New Haven, has experienced a steep increase in thefts since the spring. Lt. Mark Mikulski of the police department said he assumes the economic downturn is to blame for the break-ins.

—Taylor Lasley

Police arrest two for fatal crash

Police have arrested two people for a car accident that killed two teenagers from Orange, Conn., this summer. On June 12, Ashlie Krakowski and David Servin, both 19, were driving on Boston Post Road when they collided with the patrol cruiser of Jason Anderson, an Orange Police Department officer. On Tuesday, Anderson was charged with manslaughter and has been suspended with pay. The next day, Milford resident Jaycen Munro, 21, was charged with providing alcohol to minors. Police have not said whether the teenagers were drinking but did find in their car three baggies of what they believed to be marijuana.

—Colin Ross

Pfizer Inc. leaving New London

International pharmaceutical producer Pfizer Inc. said Monday that it will close its New London, Conn., campus and relocate the 1,500 employees at that location to Groton, Conn. Following its merger with Wyteth Pharmaceuticals last month, Pfizer has begun consolidating its global research and development operations by 35 percent. The New London location, which opened in 2001, is one of eight former R&D sites jettisoned in the Wyeth deal. Michael Buscetto III, the New London city councilor, said Monday that as a result of Pfizer’s consolidation, New London will lose about $1 million in property tax revenue per year.

—Taylor Lasley

Comments

oldanddying

saw one daily arrest log with the charge of murder and printed it. went into a period of morning as if young Bodner was a neighbour. now I don’t know what to believe and i guess that’s where the judge and jury belongs. You decide if the press should be honest public.